[Norwood 5-ish/38] Advice on transplant after 2 consultations

[mpphoenix]

Hi all,
I'm 38, and stopped Rogaine when the pandemic started and drastically shed over the next year or two to what you see in the pictures. I don't want to be on Finasteride (low T currently) or Minoxidil (messed my skin up due to using too much), and wanted to evaluate hair transplant options now that I have my hairline for my age.

I had a consultation with Dr. Voorhies in SC and Dr. Cooley in Charlotte. Their recommendations:

Dr. Voorhies:
* 2 day FUE: 3000 grafts in mid-scalp, frontal, hairline, and 2000 grafts in crown.

Dr. Cooley:
* 1 day FUT: 2500 grafts to front 2/3rds of my scalp and 500 grafts in crown

Dr Cooley recommended FUT as I don't plan to shave my head, better chance of a take than a FUE surgery. Will match the current hairline. They recommended the normal Finasteride (light dose), oral minoxdil, etc. But I'm ok if I do lose more hair eventually and have to have a follow up surgery. I'll do all the non minoxidil/finasteride treatments though.

I'm leaning towards Dr. Cooley. Money isn't a factor and I'd gladly pay more for the best transplant results I can get (that is, in case there is another doctor I should be considering).

Does anyone have any recommendations for which direction I should go?

 

[mpphoenix]

I was browsing the forum and remembered this post. Thought I would post a 4-year follow-up.

I ended up going with Dr. Zarev in Bulgaria for a 6850 grafts 13 months ago. Next week I have my follow-up surgery for an additional 2,300 grafts. He's keeping an additional 3,000 in reserve for future balding.

I am not on medication currently which I know is a risk. I've detailed the entire surgery and my thoughts etc. here (sorry, link to HRN which wasn't allowed - can re-paste here if interested.)

Here are 12 month pictures (1 month before my next surgery in a week):